Police: Teen jogger target of attempted abduction in Gage Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A police-issued community alert is being passed out in Gage Park following the attempted abduction of a 15-year-old girl.

The girl was jogging on California Avenue approaching 50th Street Tuesday evening, around 8:30 p.m., when police say four or five men in a dark blue vehicle with tinted rear windows pulled alongside her. One of the men jumped out to grab her while saying, "get in the car."

The girl was able to break free and run off. The news is unsettling to neighborhood residents like Alicia Guzman, who is also 15.

"You should be allowed to jog and not have to worry about somebody picking you up and snatching you," Guzman said.

Police say the vehicle was driven southbound on California Avenue. The offender is described as being in his 20s, and police say he was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark brown shorts.

People in the neighborhood are being encouraged to pay attention to their surroundings, and to look out for each other. It's a message being taken to heart in a neighborhood where crime is not exactly surprising.

"It's still kind of crazy because she's a 15-year-old," said resident Andrea Rodriguez. "She's just trying to get some exercise and she's about to be kidnapped. That's crazy."

"You're trying to get home and you're jogging and it's like you're minding your own business and people are trying to come and frighten you," resident Manuela Solis said. "That's not right."

Police continue to investigate the incident and hope that the community alert will generate more information and leads.